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A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

ANAHEIM ANGELS FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The Angels should come down from a $112 million payroll to where owner Arte Moreno wants to be next year--in the $90 million range. They'll dump more than $20 million by unloading the contracts of RHPs Aaron Sele and Kevin Appier and will have decisions to make regarding free agents 3B Troy Glaus and RHP Troy Percival.

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FILLING THE HOLES: The Angels will look for a starting pitcher--preferably a lefthander. The team was satisfied with the top four starters--RHPs Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey and LHP Jarrod Washburn--but became wary of using Sele and RHP Ramon Ortiz, both of whom struggled this season and can become free agents. A flood of starting pitchers on the free-agent market means the Angels can get a solid No. 4 or No. 5 starter without having to give up anything, and the money they're clearing off the books should allow them to do that. The team will look for durability and innings-eating ability first, but a power arm also would be welcome. The Angels also will need a reliever if they let Percival leave as expected, and the team's suspension of Jose Guillen likely means it will be in the hunt for a starting outfielder with power. The Angels will try to trade Guillen but might have problems getting more than midlevel prospects for him because of his reputation for volatility. Shane Halter didn't get it done as a utility infielder, so look for the team to sign a veteran to fill that role. The versatility of players such as Chone Figgins and Darin Erstad allows the Angels flexibility in acquiring or trading players.--Doug Miller

BALTIMORE ORIOLES FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The payroll is expected to remain at $65 million next season, but the club will be active in the free-agent market this offseason. More than $17 million will come off the books as LHPs Omar Daal and Buddy Groom, DH/1B David Segui and OF Marty Cordova leave as free agents; the club will use that money to sign younger, more talented players. FILLING THE HOLES: The lack of dependable starting pitching badly hurt the club in 2004. The failures of RHP Kurt Ainsworth and LHP Eric DuBose and the departure of RHP Pet Hentgen after the 2003 season forced the organization to dig deep into the farm system for replacements. The starters' ineffectiveness led to manager Lee Mazzilli overworking his bullpen. The team will attempt to sign one or two frontline starters who eat innings and allow Mazzilli to ease up on the relievers. Baltimore also likely will add a quality setup reliever through a trade or signing. With LHP B.J. Ryan expected to replace RHP Jorge Julio as the closer next season, the team needs a lefthander to take over Ryan's setup role. The club lacks a dependable backup catcher, which means Javy Lopez had to play behind the plate more than expected this season. Journeymen Cs Keith Osik and Robert Machado did not hit well enough to fill in regularly, so the team will be on the lookout for upgrades. Also expect the club to sign a corner outfielder who can hit for occasional power, play solid defense and get on base. The Orioles need more contact hitters at the top of the order.--Gary Washburn

BOSTON RED SOX FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The team had a payroll of roughly $125 million in 2004, and it would like to knock a few million off that figure. But considering the quest to keep up with the Yankees, that might be unrealistic. The Red Sox already have nearly $90 million tied up in 2005 salaries. G.M. Theo Epstein doesn't like to spend big on star free agents. But he will go all-out if there's a player he really wants, like he did last year with closer RHP Keith Foulke. Epstein also is very creative in finding trading partners. FILLING THE HOLES: RHPs Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe can become free agents, so there should be at least one open spot in the rotation. The team wants to keep Martinez, but it plans to limit what it will offer him in terms of years and dollars. It has been years since the team had a top-notch lefthander in the rotation, so don't be surprised if Eric Milton is targeted. He pitched with the Phillies last year but has plenty of A.L. experience. RHP Carl Pavano, who began his career in the Red Sox organization, is another enticing option after his big year with the Marlins. RHP Byung-Hyun Kim is under contract and also could figure into the rotation, though his struggles this year would make that a huge gamble. Shortstop will be an area of need unless the team retains Orlando Cabrera, who can become a free agent. If Cabrera leaves, Edgar Renteria of the Cardinals is the most intriguing free agent at shortstop. The club also could cut costs by re-signing defensive whiz Pokey Reese to play shortstop. The bullpen is getting older, so some young arms are needed to complement LHP Alan Embree and RHP Mike Timlin.--Ian Browne

CHICAGO WHITE SOX FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Manager Ozzie Guillen and G.M. Ken Williams always have been confident chairman Jerry Reinsdorf would increase payroll if postseason success were the reward. But don't look for the White Sox to balloon to $100 million. With the addition of RHPs Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras and salary bumps for LHP Mark Buehrle and LF Carlos Lee, the White Sox should have a $65 million to $67 million payroll at the start of 2005. Williams has a history of finding creative ways to meet budget while adding talent before and during the season. FILLING THE HOLES: Winning with power has been the White Sox's mantra since 2000, but that has left the team lacking in speed, defense and, to some extent, pitching. Guillen would like to add speed and bat control at the top and bottom of the order, but the primary goal is to bring in strong pitching and to make the staff as solid as possible from top to bottom. There are a number of possible No. 1 starters on the free-agent market, but it's not certain whether the best options will fit under the salary guidelines the White Sox have set. The team is more likely to upgrade the staff via trade, which could mean losing a valuable offensive commodity such as Lee or 1B Paul Konerko. Such a loss is a possibility even if RF Magglio Ordonez departs and frees up salary space. The White Sox won't put all of their free-agent money into one player and instead will attempt to add midlevel to lower upper-level players.--Scott Merkin

A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

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